Merkur Group announced on Wednesday its agreement to acquire White Hat Studios, a slots provider. This acquisition, pending regulatory approval, is intended to enhance Merkur's expansion in the United States, building on its previous purchase of Nevada-licensed supplier Gaming Arts in 2025.
Notably, the deal does not include White Hat Gaming's platform and white label businesses, which will remain under existing ownership. Merkur aims to support the growth ambitions of its operating partners and to provide White Hat Studios with the necessary expertise and resources to innovate further in slot provision and to expand its omnichannel offerings.
Michael Gauselmann, Chairman of the Merkur Supervisory Board, expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition as part of the company's online growth strategy. He noted, "Having made early inroads into the online space in Europe via our Blueprint acquisition in 2012, I am delighted by this latest development and am confident that White Hat Studios will be a great addition to our group."
Lars Felderhoff, Chairman of the Merkur Management Board, highlighted White Hat Studios' impressive growth since its inception. He said, "We look forward to working with the team to continue the US success story and, in turn, Merkur’s expansion in regulated iGaming."
Andy Whitworth, President of White Hat Studios, remarked on the acquisition's potential to enhance their long-term growth ambitions. He stated, "Joining Merkur Group is an exciting moment for everyone associated with White Hat Studios and, fundamentally, it is the best possible move to realize our ambitions for future growth and product innovation. Working alongside the hugely experienced Merkur team will open new possibilities for us across iGaming and enhance our ability to develop a world-class omnichannel proposition that will benefit both operators and players.
Kyle Goldsmith, a reporter with a background in sports journalism, joined Clarion in December 2023, where he has transitioned to a senior reporter focusing on the Latin American market with iGB.
